JEDDAH: Muslim countries should forge closer health ties to attract
scientists, reduce costs of purchasing medicines and tackle the growing
threat of infectious diseases, said Health Minister Khalid A. Al-Falih
on Thursday.
Al-Falih was speaking at the two-day Organization of Islamic
Cooperation’s (OIC) 5th Islamic Conference of Health Ministers, which
ended in Istanbul on Thursday. The conference, which is held every two
years, reviewed the status of the OIC Strategic Health Program of Action
2014 to 2023.
Al-Falih said that if Muslim countries focus on
setting up the right research bodies, they can attract talented and
seasoned scientists to help address their health challenges, according
to reports.
He said that the huge health care needs of Muslim
countries makes it possible to develop a joint purchasing strategy that
would counter the monopoly held by some firms in the pharmaceutical
industry, protect their citizens from price increases and achieve major
savings by buying items at fair prices.
He also called for further coordination to fight infectious diseases. Saudi Arabia and Indonesia have joined the Global Health Security Agenda, which focuses on prevention, early detection and rapid response. Muslim countries should join this initiative, he said.
Al-Falih highlighted Saudi Arabia’s role in providing pilgrims with quality health care, including prevention, ambulatory and primary care services, in addition to advanced tertiary care at the holy sites.
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Closer health cooperation ‘vital’ for Muslim countries | Arab News
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